NC, Va. sign deal with Duke Energy for Dan River cleanup

NC, Va. sign deal with Duke Energy for Dan River cleanup

RALEIGH, N.C. — Environmental and wildlife officials in North Carolina and Virginia have signed an agreement with Duke Energy for cleanup of toxic coal ash from the Dan River.

The agreement requires Duke Energy to pay for any costs associated with the coal ash spill at its power plant near Eden on Feb. 2. The coal ash coated around 70 miles of the river with gray sludge in both North Carolina and Virginia.

Duke Energy has already started vacuuming up large pockets of coal ash that settled on the bottom of the river.

Duke Energy must also pay for the ongoing monitoring of the spill’s impact on aquatic life by government agencies.